The World Health Organization secured $1 billion in pledges during a fundraising event in Berlin, marking a significant initiative to reform its funding model and enhance its ability to address global health emergencies.
Pledge Breakdown
- New Contributions: $700 million in new pledges from European nations and philanthropies.
- Previous Commitments: $300 million from earlier commitments by the European Union and African Union.
Importance of Sustainable Financing
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the need for sustainable financing, which allows WHO to plan effectively and respond flexibly to health crises.
- He highlighted that the funds would help improve the health of women, men, and especially children globally.
Financial Uncertainty
- WHO has faced long-standing financial uncertainty, which has hindered its operations and ability to deliver long-term support to countries.
Future Goals
- WHO aims to raise an additional $6.4 billion by next May to meet its total budget goal of $7.4 billion for the General Programme of Work 14 (GPW-14), which addresses global health needs from 2025 to 2028.
Investment Rounds Format
- The fundraising format encourages competition among nations to increase their financial contributions.
- Major European countries, including Spain, the UK, and France, have yet to announce their pledges.
- Additionally, 16 African governments have already committed funding to the organization’s investment round. France, Spain, the UK, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are expected to pledge or continue their contributions to WHO in the coming months.
Current Funding Landscape
- In 2022-23, WHO’s budget was only $6.7 billion, about 33 cents per person globally.
- 88% of WHO’s funding came from voluntary contributions, with a significant portion controlled by a small number of donors.
Small Nations and Philanthropies Step Up
- Smaller countries and emerging economies also participated in the funding drive, with Montenegro making its first-ever donation.
- Philanthropies, including the Wellcome Trust and Sanofi Foundation, pledged significant contributions.
Call for Flexible Funding
- WHO seeks more flexible funding to address urgent global health priorities independently.
- Investments in WHO are viewed as crucial for not only health but also for fostering equitable and stable societies.
| Summary/Static | Details |
| Why in the news? | WHO secured $1 billion in pledges, aiming to reform its funding model for enhanced responsiveness to global health emergencies. |
| Pledge Breakdown | – $700 million: New contributions from European countries and philanthropies – $300 million: From prior commitments by EU and AU |
| Current Funding | WHO’s 2022-23 budget was $6.7 billion; 88% of it from voluntary contributions largely controlled by a few major donors. |
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